Project 300sixtyfive

Project 300sixtyfive  

Nothing breaks my heart more than seeing how little we realize the gift that is every day and every person.  We wait till a funeral to say nice things, we wait till we are "old" to regret what we never said or did. We wish we didn't work so much. We lament what we have lost. Why don't we learn?

So here we go - Ali's Project 365. 365 days of appreciating people. There are a few rules...there's no order in how I present folks to you, I may know some better than others, identifying characteristics may or may not be included - the goal here is to really look at the good in each and every person and let THAT person know that they are loved - NOW.

I'll try to stay day to day but I can tell you now there will be catch up times...this is just my little attempt to put a little something positive out there, every day, and perhaps, in the process get some more positive energy out there in the world.

The separation of my personalities...

Its be a while...and long story short, I've come to the realization that I may have to do something I never thought I would - maintain multiple blogs to maintain some focus. (or I'm not clever enough to figure out how to mesh musings, knitting stories, running and technobabble all in the same place). I'll still be here...but this blog will meander about my brain more on the technology end of things I think. 

There's been another project, ruminating in my mind for a while that its time to start. I'm starting to feel old and I'm starting to feel like there are some things I'm learning - and not to go all Oprah on you, but life is too short for a lot of the crap that goes down. So I'm doing a take on a project 365 that will be very personal and important, at least to me. I'm gonna try and set it up today but I'll keep you posted....as soon as I have a new link it'll be here. 

CHEERS!

Off the Grid

I have a few trips scheduled in upcoming days...first I am going to Nashville, and then next week I head to my in-laws for our annual visit and then to NYC for my cousins wedding. These things would be of no consequence but for two big factors - 1) my nashville trip coincides with the release of the iPhone 2.0 and then 2) the visit to the in-Laws is to a lovely town called Hawley PA (seen The Office? See the epi when then went to Lake Waullenpaupack for a retreat? that's where they are)

No biggie right? But my dear hubby is going to go stand in line for my iPhone (he's getting one too) but that will get activated some time Friday...I'm not home till late Saturday night, thus no phone access for me. Then during our trip to PA there's no wi-fi, barely even dial up and in fact, the concept of a life online doesn't really exist other than downloading music and perhaps using email once and a while.

Sum total - I'm going off the grid - somewhat by choice, somewhat by necessity...and...I'm really anxious about it! I know this will be fine - good for me even, perspective and all that - but it only shows me how connected I've become. Too much? Possibly. But when I think about the real pull that I feel its the people - its the social connections, its the relationships...and those? They will remain...

So I will miss you all...I didn't leave you, I'm just living away from the interwebs for a while.

p.s. Friend Feed. I get it - conceptually. I get it - factually but I don't get it - usably. I'm a loser - is there a good site on how to use this darn thing? I can read it but can't figure out the interaction for anything.

PodCamp Ohio - Podcasting for Corporate America

There are still many thoughts in my head regarding podcampohio but one of the more compelling sessions I attended was "Internal Corporate Podcasts" by Robin Maiden. Robin is a pilot with Delta and involved in many different podcasts...but his session focused on bringing the power of the podcast as a communication medium to corporate america. 

The session really spoke to me since my "real job" has me doing strategic and operational consulting 90% of the time...most of the clients I work with are moving towards a workforce that is spread across the country and employing technology to get their job done. The challenge these organizations start to face, as Robin articulated, is that since their work focuses them everywhere but "the company" we need to work effectively to keep the right amount of communication (and thus relationship) "inward" towards the company. This obviously offers support at the ground level needs of training, operational updates, etc. but it can also be extended into brand loyalty, strategic growth, and relationship building within an organization.

Robin's comments continue to churn in my brain as I think on how to mobilize this as a value add for some of my clients - one client in particular is considering iPhones for employees...I am embarrassed to say that it never even entered my mind to not only pre-load these phones with "data" (contacts/ dates etc) but also with audio content...my clients are usually tech saavy and this is a no brainer...(and is serves as a soft intro into new media as well!)

PodcampOhio content from ALL the sessions is to be posted shortly, but in the mean time some points from Robin's talk:

- sell your concept to corporate leadership in business terms (not just technical) like ROI, opportunity cost, opportunity as a management tool

- Find a mentor for the project in company leadership

- involve everyone - we all know too well the bureaucracy that lives in corporate america

- manage expectations with management and interviewees

- for production, have a white board to help guide the conversation

- "mess up" intentionally at the beginning to put the interviewee at ease

- call your time together a "conversation" not an "interview"

- allow for reviews by everyone (and request that comments come with  a time marker for any changes)

- Casts can be public and private based on content 

- use inexpensive EASY to use MP3 players to help spread the word and distribute content

- track your results and present them back to management

- build your system so that its not dependent on YOU - let this be a tool that can become part of corporate communication and managed by others.

At the end of our discussion, we really focused on the fact that we know we are all early adopters, and the concept of podcast as corporate communication tool isn't a standard. But doesn't that make this the time to get involved? We hear every day that the iPod is becoming ubiquitous, so let's put them to use in different ways! for Consider the impact on your customer - be it employee, client, or management...this is leading edge technology so you get the "cool factor" along with the true business value.  As Robin said, we'll start to see more and more people thinking about this....and then, what do i get from Chris Brogan today? THIS. Love it! Remember when it was "cool" to have your business card as a CD or DVD? I like to see this becoming the next big thing... 

I have HOW MANY Logins?

So i'm home from my first podcamp experience today...podcampohio was really fun. There's always something rewarding about learning - particularly when you are passionate about the subject. You come away with that sweet feeling of being tired, but utterly motivated. It was also beyond cool to meet, (and hug) so many people that I've come to consider friends but whom I've never met in person...it really completes the friendship circle I think...physical substance on top of emotional, intellectual and spiritual substance before.

Anyway - as a result of this fun I find my brain churning and my fingers flying away as I sign up for more social media tools/ outlets/ burners/ catchers/ consolidators/ distributors/ integrators to get all my media channels together. When I found that I was having to alter my now famous (tho not entirely creative) handle not only was I irked but I also realized it was time to create a list of all my new media outlets and user id's and passwords to make sense of the madness (and prevent trying to log into flickr 8 times with the wrong info). I'm not even halfway done inventory-ing these sites and I already have 23 items. 23 ITEMS?!?!? 

Is this the best way to present in the new media/ social media space? I know I know, if you use things enough, you should know your ID's, but I don't...between work and social I have too many logins to remember and sometimes my brain just fails me. So here is my point...that was so saavily raised in piece parts by two people I greatly respect, @AnnOhio and @KathleenKD  and that is, are we getting too caught up in the "next new software" or just the geekiness of the software/ hardware/shareware discussion to forget the SOCIAL?  I find myself being in too many places and not being 100% present in any of them. I'm all for exploring, learning, discovering, but in the fun of all this, let's remember - for each of us - why we have joined in this new media world and put in place the tools WE each need to make that a reality. For me, its learning, sharing but most importantly creating relationships (and yes I remember when I used to hear others say that and it sounded like hooey). As I really digg (ha ha, I'm so funny) into social media I want it to be meaningful with the various audiences I entertain...my summer goal is to really work with the tools I have now and find those that truly suit me and discard those that don't. Life is just too darn short for 5,634 different logins....

Thanks to all who made my podcamp experience a joy!!!

p.s. it is the ultimate treat to be with a group of people who share "the geek in me" and create a place where you can let your geek flag fly...I heard the ultimate comeback to the teasing we've all invariably gotten for having friends we met online, or via a podcast etc...(and we all know we've been teased by our friends who think we're freaks)..."Like you know the guy you met at a bar better?" Just made me smile...

whoa...just became totally exhausted. nap time

craving something sweet...